Jayanth Kaikini (born 24 January 1955) is a poet, short story writer, playwright, columnist in Kannada and a lyricist in

Kannada Cinema Kannada cinema, also known as Sandalwood, or Chandanavana, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Kannada language widely spoken in the state of Karnataka. The 1934 film '' Sati Sulochana'' direct ...

. He has so far published six anthologies of short stories, four books of poetry, three plays and a collection of essays. He is valued as one of the best writers in Kannada literature and has revolutionized the field by giving it a fresh new perspective. He has bagged in many notable awards like '

Karnataka Sahitya Academy Karnataka Sahitya Academy is an autonomous organization set up by the government of Karnataka to promote Kannada literature and recognize literary merit by giving awards. It is fully funded by the Directorate of Kannada and Culture, Government of ...

' award. Kaikini is regarded as one of the most significant writers in Kannada today. Kaikini has been conferred the

honorary doctorate An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hono ...

from Tumkur University.

Early life

Dr Kaikini was born in Gokarna to

Gourish Kaikini Gourish Kaikini (12 September 1912 – 14 November 2002) was a teacher and Kannada litterateur. He received many awards including the Sahitya Academy award and the Rajyotsava Award given by the government of Karnataka. He also wrote in Ma ...

, a thinker, litterateur and teacher, and Shanta Kaikini, a social worker. After studying a M.Sc. in

Biochemistry Biochemistry or biological chemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms. A sub-discipline of both chemistry and biology, biochemistry may be divided into three fields: structural biology, enzymology and ...

from Karnataka University,

Dharwad Dharwad (), also known as Dharwar, is a city located in the north western part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of the Dharwad district of Karnataka and forms a contiguous urban area with the city of Hubballi. It was merge ...

, he moved to

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the secon ...

where he worked as a chemist for many years. Jayanth Kaikini began his career working as a production chemist, eventually working also as a copywriter for advertising agencies in Bombay for 23 years before moving to Bangalore, where he held several key institutional positions - as founder of Kannada television channels Etv Kannada, Zee Kannada, becoming the literary editor of a monthly magazine Bhavana and hosting a widely popoular television talk-show series Namaskara while being intellectually associated with the Kannada film industry.

Career

Kaikini has published a number of poetry collections including Rangadindondishtu Doora, Kothitheertha, Shravana Madhyana, Neelimale, Theredashte Bagilu. He is also the author of short stories collections for Dagadoo Parabana Ashwamedha, Aamruthaballi Kashaya, Shabda Teera, Bannada kaalu, Toofan Mail, Ondu Jelebi, Charminar, Anarkaliya Safety Pin and Vichitraseneya Vaikhari. His work in translation No Presents Please has won widespread acclaim and accolades across the globe, including the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. His first work in translation was Dots and Lines. Jayanth Kaikini's initial foray into lyricism for Kannada film undustry includes movies like Dweepa and

Chigurida Kanasu ''Chigurida Kanasu'' () is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language film directed by T. S. Nagabharana and starring Shiva Rajkumar, Anant Nag, Vidhya Venkatesh, Rekha Unnikrishnan and Avinash. It is based on the 1951 novel of the same name by legendary K ...

. Renowned Kannada film actor and singer Dr.Rajkumar sung
Bandhuve O Bandhuve
, for which

V. Manohar Vitla Manohar is an Indian music director, lyricist, film director and actor in Kannada and Tulu movies. He has scored music to several Kannada and Tulu films. He has written lyrics to more than 1000 songs in Kannada cinema. Early life Manoha ...

composed the music. He is credited with revolutionising the image of Kannada film songs, with the classic touch of literature, a nouvelle vocabulary and imagery that belongs to our lived worlds. Films like

Mungaaru Male ''Mungaru Male'' () is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Yogaraj Bhat, and produced by E. Krishnappa. It stars Ganesh, Pooja Gandhi and Anant Nag. The film is believed to have shaped and strengthened ...

Gaalipata ''Gaalipata'' () is a 2008 Indian romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Yogaraj Bhat. It features an ensemble cast consisting of Ganesh, Anant Nag, Rajesh Krishnan, Diganth, Daisy Bopanna, Neethu and Bhavana Rao. The plot revo ...

, Milana etc. have some touching and memorable songs with lyrics penned by him. He was hosting a TV Show "Rasa Rushige Namaskara" in Etv Kannada which a biography on Rashtrakavi

Kuvempu Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa (29 December 1904 – 11 November 1994), popularly known by his pen name Kuvempu, was an Indian poet, playwright, novelist and critic. He is widely regarded as the greatest Kannada poet of the 20th century. He wa ...

. This show was very popular with a particular section of audience. He continued it with other series' such as "Kadala Theerada Bharghava",..etc.Lately he was seen judging the reality show "Yede tumbi Haaduvenu" along with the legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and famous

Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...

music director and lyricist naada brahma

Hamsalekha Gangaraju (born June 23, 1951), professionally known as Hamsalekha, is an Indian film composer and a songwriter who works in South Indian cinema, predominantly in the Kannada film industry since the late 1980s. He is also a screenplay writer, di ...

. Kaikini received the Karnataka Sahitya Academy award for his first poetry collection at the age of nineteen in 1974. He received the same award again in 1982, 1989 and 1996 for his short story collections. He has been awarded the

Dinakara Desai Dinakara Desai (ದಿನಕರ ದೇಸಾಯಿ) was a poet, writer, educationist, and political activist. He was famous for his poetry form called ''chutuka'' (also known as ''Chutuka Brahma''). Chutuka or chutuku is a quadraplet poem. Thi ...

award for his poetry, the B. H. Sridhar award for fiction, the Katha National award and Rujuwathu trust fellowship, the Kusumagraj Award, Masti Prashasti amidst several other honours for his writings as well as an honorary Doctorate from Tumkur University. He now lives in

Bangalore Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...

with his wife/partner Smita Kaikini, an analytic chemist by training and an archivist, manager of the Kaikini family archives. His daughter Dr Srajana Kaikini is a philosopher, artist, academic who has also a trained

Odissi Odissi (), also referred to as Orissi in old literature, is a major ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the temples of Odisha – an eastern coastal state of India.Chigurida Kanasu ''Chigurida Kanasu'' () is a 2003 Indian Kannada-language film directed by T. S. Nagabharana and starring Shiva Rajkumar, Anant Nag, Vidhya Venkatesh, Rekha Unnikrishnan and Avinash. It is based on the 1951 novel of the same name by legendary K ...

'') * "Parichayisu" (''Prema Pallakki'') * "We Are OK" ('' Prasad'') * "Ee Sanje Yakaagide" (''

Geleya ''Geleya'' is a 2007 Indian Kannada-language crime film directed by Harsha, a popular choreographer making his debut in direction. The script is written by Preetham Gubbi and the cinematography is by Krishna; all of whom had worked previously t ...

'') * "Ninnindale" ('' Milana'') * "Male Nintu Hoda Mele" ('' Milana'') * "Anisutide Yaako Indu" (''

Mungaru Male ''Mungaru Male'' () is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film co-written and directed by Yogaraj Bhat, and produced by E. Krishnappa. It stars Ganesh, Pooja Gandhi and Anant Nag. The film is believed to have shaped and strengthened ...

'') * "Kunidhu Kunidhu Baare" (''Mungaru Male'') * "Male Baruva Haagide" (''

Moggina Manasu ''Moggina Manasu'' is a 2008 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by Shashank and produced by E. Krishnappa under the banner E. K. Entertainers. It stars Radhika Pandit and Shuba Punja in lead roles. The supporting cast featur ...

'') * "Madhuvana Karedare" (''Inti Ninna Preetiya'') * "Belad Minuguta" (''Psycho'') * "Hey Mouna" (''

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is on ...

'') * "Minchaagi Neenu" (''

'') * "Poorva Para" * "Maleya Haniyalli" (''Januma Janumadallu'') * "Yaaro Kooda Ninna Haage" ('' Love Guru'') * "Yello Maleyaagide" ('' Manasaare'') * "Ondu Kanasu" (''Manasaare'') * "Onde Ninna" (''Manasaare'') * "Chalisuva Cheluve" (''

Ullasa Utsaha ''Ullasa Utsaha'' is a 2010 Indian Kannada-language romance film directed by Devraj Palan, starring Ganesh and Yami Gautam (in her only Kannada film to date). It also marked the latter's acting debut. Ganesh's wife turrned producer with this fil ...

'') * "Nee Sanihake Bandare" (''

Maleyali Jotheyali ''Maleyali Jotheyali'' is a 2009 Indian Kannada-language film that stars Ganesh, Anjana Sukhani and Yuvika Chaudhary.It is directed by Preetham Gubbi, who also co-wrote the script. Shilpa Ganesh, wife of Ganesh, produced the film under their pr ...

'') * "Kudi Notave" (''Parichaya'') * "Eruveya" ("Kinnare") * "Turthinalli Geechida" (''

Chowka ''Chowka'' is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Tharun Sudhir, making his debut, and produced by Dwarakish, marking his 50th production film. It features an ensemble cast of Vijay Raghavendra, Prem Kumar, Diganth, ...

'') * "Madhura Pisumatige" (''Birugali'') * "Hoovina Baanadanthe Yaarigu Kaanadanthe" (''Birugaali'') * "Aaaramage Yiddenaanu" (''Gokula'') * "neenendare nannolage" ('' Junglee'') * "Hrudayave Bayaside Ninnane" ('' Krishnan Love Story'') * "Ninna Gungalle" ''

Lifeu Ishtene ''Lifeu Ishtene'' () is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language black comedy film written and directed by Pawan Kumar. It stars Diganth, Sindhu Lokanath and Samyukta Hornad in the lead roles. Sathish Ninasam, Achyuth Kumar and Veena Sundar feature in s ...

'' * "Paravashanaadenu" (''

Paramathma ''Paramatman'' (Sanskrit: परमात्मन्, IAST: Paramātman) or ''Paramātmā'' is the Absolute '' Atman'', or supreme Self, in various philosophies such as the Vedanta and Yoga schools in Hindu theology, as well as other Indian r ...

'') * "Yenendu Hesaridali" (''

Anna Bond ''Anna Bond'' () is a 2012 Kannada-language romantic action film written and directed by Duniya Soori. Produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar, it stars Puneeth Rajkumar, Nidhi Subbaiah and Priyamani and Jackie Shroff in a negative role. The movie wa ...

'') * "Neeralli Sanna" (''

Hudugaru ''Hudugaru'' ( Boys) is a 2011 Kannada-language drama film directed by K. Madesh, starring Puneeth Rajkumar, Srinagar Kitty, Yogesh and Radhika Pandit in the lead roles. The film, which is a remake of the successful 2010 Tamil film ''Naadodigal' ...

'') * "Kanna Minche Jaahiratu Kaliyuva Hrudayake" (''

Victory The term victory (from Latin ''victoria'') originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign constitutes ...

'') * "Yenano Helalende" (''

Dyavre ''Dyavre'' is a 2013 Indian Kannada-language drama film written and directed by Gadda Viji and produced by Jayanna Bhogendra, co-produced by Rajesh Bhat. The film stars Yogaraj Bhat (in his acting debut), Sathish Ninasam, Sonu Gowda, and Sruth ...

'') * "Jiya Teri Jiya Mere" (''

Bhajarangi ''Bhajarangi'' is a 2013 Indian Kannada-language fantasy action film starring Shiva Rajkumar and Aindrita Ray. Directed by choreographer-turned-director Harsha, the film was released on 12 December 2013 and received positive response from cr ...

'') *"Ninna Danigagi Ninna Karegagi" (''

Savaari 2 ''Savaari 2'' ( kn, ಸವಾರಿ, meaning:Ride) is a 2014 Indian Kannada language romantic drama film produced and directed by Jacob Verghese. It is a sequel to 2009 film Savaari. Plot The movie is about treasure hunt. A journalist along wi ...

'') *"Ello Mareyaagi " (''

'') * "Jeene Laga" (''

Jaathre ''Jaathre'' is a 2015 Indian Kannada language drama film directed by Raviteja. It stars Chetan Chandra and Aishwarya Nag in the lead roles. The supporting cast features Ramesh Bhat, Usha Bhandary and Mitra. Cast * Chetan Chandra * Aishwary ...

'') * "Nenape Nitya Mallige" (''

Kendasampige Kendasampige is a 2015 Indian Kannada thriller film directed by Duniya Soori and written by Surendranath. It stars newcomers Santhosh Reva (Vikky Varun) and Manvitha Harish in the lead roles, making their debuts with the film. Rajesh Nataranga ...

'') * "Kanasali Nadesu" (''

'') * "Mareyada Pustaka" (''

Rathavara ''Rathaavara'' is a 2015 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film written and directed by Chandrashekar Bandiyappa and produced by Dharmashree Manjunath. It stars Sri Murali and Rachita Ram in the lead roles. The supporting cast features P ...

'') * "Mouna Thaalide Dhaari" (2014) (''

Ninnindale ''Ninnindale'' () is an 2014 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy drama film directed by Jayanth C. Paranjee, a popular Telugu cinema film director making his debut in Kannada cinema. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar and Erica Fernandes.Mut ...

'') * "Malage Malage" ('' Rikki'') * "Yele Mareyali" ('' Rikki'') * "Helilla Yarallu Naanu" ('' Krishna-Rukku'') * "Muddagi Neenu" ('' Ganapa'') * "Nanna Kanasina Roovaari" ( Sipaayi) * "Sariyaagi" ( Mungaru Male 2) * Bere Yaro Baredantide Salanu (''

Kaddipudi ''Kaddipudi'' is a 2013 Indian Kannada language crime drama film directed by Duniya Soori and produced by M. Chandru. The screenplay was written by Soori and Rajesh Nataranga and the film stars Shiva Rajkumar as Anand alias Kaddipudi, a ''rowdy ...

'') * Kaagadada Doniyalli ('' Kirik Party'') * Aakasha Neene (Ambari) * Roopasi (''

Mugulu Nage ''Mugulu Nage'' is a 2017 Indian Kannada-language romantic comedy film directed and co-produced by Yogaraj Bhat, and jointly produced by Ganesh and Syed Salaam. Ganesh also features in the lead role alongside Apoorva Arora, Nikitha Narayan and ...

'') * Badukina Bannave (''

Tagaru ''Tagaru'' () is a 2018 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film directed by Duniya Soori and produced by K. P. Srikanth. It features Shiva Rajkumar, Bhavana and Manvitha in the lead roles along with Dhananjay, Vasishta N. Simha and Dev ...

'') * Namma (''

'') * Jeeva Sakhi (''

'') * Aleva moda ("Aleva moda") * Tajaa Samachara (''

Natasaarvabhowma ''Natasaarvabhowma'' ( Emperor of actors) is a 2019 Indian Kannada language action horror film written and directed by Pavan Wadeyar and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. The film stars Puneeth Rajkumar, Anupama Parameswaran and Rachita Ram in l ...

'') * Gamanisu Mungaru male 2 * Naanaadada Maatellva ("Gaalipata 2") * Neenu Bagehariyada ("Gaalipata 2")

Awards for Films

Filmfare Awards The Filmfare Awards are annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India.Al The Filmfare ceremony is one of the most famous film events in India. The awards were first introduced by th ...

* Best Lyricist (2009): ''

'' – "Minchagi Neenu Baralu" * Best Lyricist (2010): '' Manasaare'' – "Yello Maleyaagide" * Best Lyricist (2015): ''

'' – "Nenape Nithya Mallige" * Best Lyricist (2016): '' Mungaru Male 2'' – "Sariyagi Nenapide" * Best Lyricist(2021) : Act -1978- " Telodo Moda" * Nominated * Best Lyricist (2010): ''

'' – "Ni Sanihake Bandare" * Best Lyricist (2011): '' Krishnan Love Story'' – "Hrudayave" * Best Lyricist (2012): ''

'' – "Paravashanaadenu" * Best Lyricist (2013): ''

'' – "Yenendhu Hesaridali" * Best Lyricist (2014): ''

'' – "Jiya Teri" * Best Lyricist (2017): ''

'' – "Roopasi Summane"

Karnataka State Film Awards Karnataka State Film Awards are the most notable and prestigious film awards given for Kannada film industry in Karnataka, India. These are considered the highest awards for Kannada language films. They are given annually by the Government ...

* Best Dialogue Writer for

2003–04 * Best Lyricist for

(2006–07)

Awards for Literary Works

* Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Rangadindondishtu Doora (1974) * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Theredashte Baagilu (1982) * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Dagadoo Parabana Ashwamedha (1989) * Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award for Amruthaballi Kashaya (1996) * Kusumagraj National Award for Poetry (2010) * Honorary Doctorate from Tumkur University in 2011 for his Contribution to Kannada Literature and Cinema. * Dinakar Desai Award for Poetry (2004) * B.H.Shridhara Award for Amruthaballi Kashaya (1997) * Katha Award from Delhi for Amruthaballi Kashaya * DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 for his translated work ''No Presents Please...''

Early life

Career

Awards for Films

Awards for Literary Works

References

Further reading